BOSSdev, Inc. Wins Cool Places To Work Award

Media Contact:	Jennifer Novak
Direct Line:	586-443-2020
Email:	jnovak@bossdev.net

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich - August 29, 2005 - BOSSdev, Inc. was named one of 60 "Cool Places to Work" in Michigan in a first-of-its-kind competition jointly held by Crain's Detroit Business and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

BOSSdev and the other 59 companies appear in the Aug. 29 editions of both publications.

An additional report on semi-finalists for the competition appears online at www.crainsdetroit.com.

Selection was based both on employee nominations and on numerical scores on a survey created by Southfield-based American Society of Employers, a membership organization that collects workplace data and offers training in human resource issues. Points were awarded based on responses to individual questions. Total survey scores were then derived by totaling the weighted scores in eight categories.

The 60 companies have "created work environments that attract and retain quality workers, especially younger workers," Crain's Publisher Mary Kramer said.

"It's very clear that employees prize a workplace that recognizes a balance between 'work' and 'life,' as well as one that offers training and opportunities to advance."

John Zwarensteyn, publisher and CEO of the Grand Rapids Business Journal said, "It was important to include nominations from companies throughout the state of Michigan, and the result certainly shows that 'cool companies' exist in every quadrant of the state. This effort also underscores that cool businesses are of many sizes, and include what we think of as 'traditional' types of businesses as well as those considered to be 'information age' businesses."

Kevin Marrs, director of survey services at ASE, said the competition showed that even small companies, with fewer than 50 employees, can do 'small things' that make a big difference in attracting and keeping good employees.

A thank-you note from an executive, an afternoon off with pay, a show of concern when a relative is ill, and trips, picnics and parties to recognize quality work are prized by employees. The competition also discovered that some of the smaller technology- and media-related companies credit team building as one of their greatest weapons to keep talent.

"One of the things we saw a lot was an emphasis on work/life. Companies are realizing that there's got to be a better balance. The good companies are leading on these types of features," Marrs said.

Both Crain's and the Grand Rapids Business Journal have been involved in 'best places to work' recognition programs in the past.

But the 'cool places' effort was tweaked to garner nominations from employees who were asked to succinctly state why they liked working for their employer. More than 400 people nominated their workplaces. When duplicated nominations were culled, 285 companies statewide were nominated, and executives at 205 completed an exhaustive on-line survey to provide an objective benchmark of how companies handled work/life initiatives, talent management, organizational communication, total rewards, corporate citizenship and leadership, work environment and recruitment activities.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth also promoted the competition to support Gov. Granholm's "Cool Cities" initiatives.

The two business publications will host an awards luncheon Sept. 15 in Detroit to honor the companies, featuring Michigan's First Gentleman, Daniel Granholm Mulhern. The luncheon is being held at the International Conference and Banquet Center in the Antheneum Hotel, 1000 Brush St. in Greektown. Tickets for the luncheon are $35. To make reservations visit www.crainsdetroit.com. For more information, contact Jennifer Dunn at 313-446-6786.

BOSSdev is a leading developer of innovative technology solutions that streamline processes and empower business growth. With operational divisions in North America, Europe and Asia, BOSSdev is able to deliver a broad range of capabilities and global resources targeted to specific client needs.